Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole (Print Version)
Creamy chicken casserole with spinach, artichokes, and three cheeses for a protein-packed, gluten-free main dish.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
02 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables
05 - 7 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
06 - 14 oz canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
07 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy & Sauces
09 - 1/2 cup light cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
→ Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
→ Topping
15 - 1/3 cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
16 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
17 - Olive oil spray
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add diced chicken breast to the skillet. Cook 5-6 minutes, stirring, until chicken is just cooked through (it will finish cooking in the oven). Remove from heat.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth.
05 - Fold in the cooked chicken mixture, thawed spinach, and chopped artichoke hearts.
06 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
07 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp Parmesan. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the casserole. Lightly mist with olive oil spray.
08 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
09 - Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Fourteen grams of protein per serving without the heavy cream sauce guilt
- The crispy golden topping makes everyone forget theyre eating something nutritious
02 -
- Squeezing every drop of water from the thawed spinach is the difference between a creamy casserole and a watery mess
- Using rotisserie chicken works but reduce the initial skillet time to just warm it through
03 -
- Mix the topping with a teaspoon of melted olive oil instead of spray for extra crunch
- Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for thirty minutes to avoid lumps